Anthony Davison has been championing local food and drink for over a decade, creating non-profit website BigBarn www.bigbarn.co.uk, which acts as the food map for food and drink producers all over the UK. He believes that we need to learn to love our own farmers and support local producers, otherwise Britain could find itself cut off from affordable food in the years to come.

So many of us are cut off from where our food comes from and fill our trollies with imported produce without a second thought. “After Brexit, Britain needs to provide more opportunity for British farmers to help them increase production and get a fair price for their produce,” Anthony explains. “The big problem with the way we're farming at the moment is that farmers are producing commodities, and middle men are taking all the profit. We need farmers to get a better share of the retail price by selling locally direct to the customer. This is the only way they can make money and plough (pun intended) profits back into our land to grow more and ensure that Britain can remain self-sufficient in the years to come.”

Evidence suggests that buying locally is not only better for Britain and our environment, but it can also be cheaper. “There have been many cases where dealing with local producers is cheaper and more cost effective,” continues Anthony. “For example, a few years ago a hospital in Nottingham ended its contract with a major food supplier and started sourcing locally. It saved them £3m.”

BigBarn (www.bigbarn.co.uk) was set up 17 years ago toreconnect local food and drink producers and growers, with consumers, retailers and businesses.Its local food map includes producers and businesses from all over the UK and is free to use. “We want everyone to use our map and source local food and drink. We want BigBarn to bridge the gap between local food and the end users. We're not in this to make money and any profits are ploughed back into the business to make it more accessible and useful to everyone.”

Once consumers have searched and discovered local produce in theirarea, they can link from the map to the BigBarn Marketplace to buy fresh produce online, for click-and-collect or delivery. “Our Marketplace is like Amazon for the food world. Just without the huge investment and profits!” laughs Anthony.

Any business, organisation, retailer, media company or blogger can have the map on their website for free and can earn commission from any sales made through the linked Marketplace. Continues Anthony, “Any website can have our map and make money from it. Any farmer can use our map. If you're a consumer use the map. If you're a small holder get involved and build a business, if you're a corporate, do the right thing and have our map on your website. Local food is cheaper and if everyone gets involved and promotes it, we'll be helping the future of our country. This map can make that happen.”

To find out more about BigBarn and how you can have the local food map on your website visit www.bigbarn.co.ukor call Anthony on 01480 890 970.

ENDS